No one wants to be the girl at the party in the same outfit as another guest. The same mentality goes for accessories, and as far as we’re concerned, with shoes in particular (because deep down, we’re probably still lusting after the It bag of any given season despite its ubiquity). If you enjoy being met with oohs, aahs, and “Wow, where’d you get those?” when you walk into a room, feast your eyes on this lineup of cult-followed (but still under-the-radar) footwear labels that all the cool kids are wearing. From sleek sandals to cool mules to statement heels, shop the styles that suit you from these on-the-rise brands.
LOQ
Helmed by friends-turned-business-partners Keren Longkumer and Valerie Quant, LOQ presents sleek, unfussy footwear for the modern woman. With minimalism at the core of their aesthetic, LOQ's designs are at once simple yet unexpected, and above all else, totally wearable.
Shop LOQ
Shop LOQ
Susi Studio
A brand-new label out of Los Angeles, Susi Studio offers forward-thinking vegan footwear created by entrepreneur Bianca Moran. Inspired by the spirit of the 1960s, the debut silhouettes in the cruelty-free line include strappy sandals, printed platforms and lace-up loafers, all of which are crafted from sustainable materials.
Shop Susi Studio
Shop Susi Studio
Rafa
Timeless silhouettes and fun colors are the name of the game for Rafa, a luxury label based in Los Angeles. Handcrafted by local artisans, the shoes are made using eco-friendly materials, and are stocked at cult-followed e-tailers including Reformation and Lisa Says Gah.
Mari Giudicelli
Model-turned-designer Mari Giudicelli created her eponymous collection (which she debuted to buyers just earlier this year) after receiving a degree in accessory design from FIT. Already fixed in fashion's inner circle, the buzz surrounding her label was strong straight out the gate with pared-back, vintage-feeling mules and loafers at the core of the collection.
Shop Mari Giudicelli
(Available Fall 2016)
Shop Mari Giudicelli
(Available Fall 2016)
Marais
For understated shoes with a sun-drenched, SoCal feel, look no further than Marais. Created by LA girl-about-town Haley Boyd, the affordable range focuses on simple, well-made silhouettes that pair as well with a dress as they do vintage 501s.
Shop Marais
Shop Marais
Marion Parke
Heel lovers, rejoice—Marion Parke has set out to totally change the footwear game. The podiatric surgeon created her namesake collection to provide women with next-level functionality in shoes that don't compromise style. Finally. Each silhouette features a patent-pending insole for optimal comfort.
Shop Marion Parke
Shop Marion Parke
The Palatines
Boutique footwear brand The Palatines is any minimalist's dream, stocking the most perfect slides and slingbacks suited for everyday wear. Designed and manufactured in LA, the styles are meant to be lived in and only get better with time.
Shop The Palatines
Shop The Palatines
About Arianne
Based in Barcelona, About Arianne is a line of artisanal footwear designed by friends and young creatives Ariadna Guirado and Ernest Vidal. The duo seeks to merge high quality with impeccable taste, as evidenced in their lineup of Euro-chic sandals, heels and loafers.
Shop About Arianne
Shop About Arianne
Carrie Forbes
Inspired by Moroccan culture, Carrie Forbes' footwear is perfect for travel and weekends alike. The brand's raffia and woven-detail sandals in particular are popping up on all manner of bloggers and It girls thanks to a summer-perfect aesthetic.
Shop Carrie Forbes
Shop Carrie Forbes
Elina Linardaki
The punchy, handmade sandals that are Elina Linardaki's eponymous creations put you on the fast-track to outfit success. Beloved for their playful design and colorful details, these shoes are quickly working their way to being the It sandal of summer 2016.
Shop Elina Linardaki
